Radical action is required to try and tackle a population crisis affecting the Western Isles, a seminar heard today.
The lack of good jobs and housing coupled with higher living costs are significant factors in getting people to stay or return to the islands, it was stressed at the event in Tarbert.
The huge expense of travel -
Good quality broadband and sustainable communities are also essential, delegates heard.
Too many young people are leaving for opportunities on the mainland while not enough
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The population is projected to fall by nearly 14% over the next two decades from 27,250 in 2014 to 23,515 in 2039.
The number of pensioners is set to rise by an estimated 11% but there will be far less carers and health workers to look after them with a 21% reduction in the working age population.
The problem is set to worsen for the next generation with around 28% less children
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The lack of affordable housing, transport, training and decent employment as well as poor mobile and broadband signal are important deciding factors pushing young people away from the Western Isles, found a recent study from development agency, HIE.
However, tackling youth depopulation is "not always a specific area of focus, or indeed a prioritised issue," highlighted the report.
Around 37% of island youth indicated they wanted to work in the Western Isles but only 25% thought there are good opportunities for getting a job locally.
In addition, the vast majority of island youth are not impressed with the range of job prospects at home, according to HIE's research.
The issues have been known for years. A similar study in 2009 recommended it was crucial to alter the perceptions of young people regarding “concerns over job availability, local wage levels and career progression opportunities.”
Numerous schools have shut recently while pupil rolls continue to decline resulting in less central government income to provide public services.
Western Isles Council leader, Angus Campbell, told the conference: “The seriousness of the issues is recognised by the Scottish Government and the UK Government.
“We welcome their commitment to work with us.”
He stressed it was not a “difficult” ask of politicians as was suggested in the debate.
Mr Campbell stated: “The time is right for radical thinking and more importantly, radical action.
He added: “This is so important and politics should not matter. If we all recognise
this is the most important thing we can do -
“Let's be demanding of ourselves and of others. Let's have one aim, one big target and that means doing big things.”
He said the council is campaigning through the Our Islands Our Future campaign for more powers for the islands which would have an economic benefit and in turn boost the populations.
The local authority is doing everything in its power to make our islands an attractive place to live and work but more assistance from UK and Scottish governments is required, he said.
Unleashing the islands’ renewable energy potential -
Otherwise islanders will continue to seek work on the mainland leaving an increasingly elderly population and stresses on services in an ever more challenging financial climate, he pointed out.
Call for "radical action" over population crisis
8 November 2016
Radical thinking needed to tackle population decline, said Angus Campbell